KostaT

Just five weeks and 2000miles since taking delivery I was rear ended... actually more like rammed from behind, thankfully he wasn't going very fast. I was stopped at an intersection and the guy behind me stoppped and then started going. The damage is limited to a big scuff in the center of the bumper and two deep gouges where the license plate dug in. The bumper cover isn't dented and seems to be aligned properly. But am I pissed!!!! I got the guys name, address, and phone (which are legit) but he didn't give his insurace number. I was trying very hard to stay calm and keep myself from decking him (which I did a very good job of) that I didn't get the name of his insurance company (which could be a problem if he starts giving me trouble with paying up).<p>So does anybody have any recommendations for a top notch body shop in the Northern VA/DC are that has experience with Audis? Does anybody have experience with the shop at HBL in Tysons?<p>whatta Friday?<p>Kosta

Kevin

I hope you at least got his license plate number. He HAS to give you his insurance info.

MarkG

Just curious. I hit a guy once. It looked like he was making a right on red so I looked at traffic and it was wide open so I started moving. He had stopped and I hit him. No damage to his car and minor damage to mine so it wasn't a big deal. I'm more careful now. <p>I feel for you. I try to keep my A4 prestine and would also be upset if someone hit it.<p>Good luck,<br>Mark (98.5 2.8 QMS)

mywheels

If you don't get any specific recommendations (I'm not from your area, so I can't help you), call your Audi dealer and ask where they send A8's to be fixed. It takes a great deal of knowledge and skill to fix those aluminum bodies. In my case that would mean trucking the car to a different city, but I'd do it if I didn't already know a very good shop in my home town. Good luck, Partner.

Cris

I guess it happens more often then not. <p>Cris

mywheels

Bumper covers aren't a dificult fix. Most any competent shop should be able to do a good job. The hardest part should be matching the paint. Some colors are harder to match than others. And then there is the fact that the bumper needs a flex agent additive that can shift the hue slightly. If your car is older and faded (from parking in the sun), it could be harder to match. If it were my car, I'd insist that the bumper is removed from the car. I don't want any blending to my sheetmetal or overspray or any other accidents.

Briana T.

<br>nt.

JonC

one of the few Audi factory trained & approved independent shops for work on the A8 aluminum spaceframe, among other things. Top quality work, not the lowest price but you get what you pay for. Mike Anderson is the owner. You can tell him Jon Cole referred you (I have no financial interest, etc., but they've done some nice things for me so I never hesitate to refer business).<p>Last time I needed work done (on my MB C280) the adjuster said he thought they were one of the top 3-4 shops in the entire DC/Balt. metro area.

Dave B

DO NOT (REPEAT DO NOT) Let HBL send your treasured A-4 to their body shop. Their shop is auto body for the blind! My first A-4 was purchased with a door ding and HBL took care of it (their shop), well they ended up spraying the whole side of the car it was a mess. HBL did the right thing and took the car back, and reordered a '98. So I had MB C-280 for three months while my new baby was made.

KostaT

Just got an estimate at HBL (where I bought the car). NT Autobody in Alexandria does the work. Any DC area people know of them, Ive never heard of them (they're listed in the YP but don't have an ad)? The estimator quoted $327 for refinishing the bumper cover and $650 for replacing it with a new one. Since the car is so new... Im inclined to make it as new as possible, even though I was assured that a refinishing job would be "just like new". But heck, Im not paying for it.<p>Yes it was at a stop sign controlled intersection (should have a light there have been several fatal accidents there in the past year) where I was stopped to make a right.<br>Traffic was pretty heavy. I inched up to get a better view, came to a stop then BAMM. Yes it is an understandable mistake... but there really is no excuse (no offence if you have done this, we all make mistakes). Even if I had pulled ahead to make a turn, the car behind still needs to stop before pulling into traffic.<p>He was a younger guy... probably a little younger than me (24). I got his Name, phone, address, license. He left a message on my voicemail at work to make sure I had the right phone number, so he probably isn't trying to dick me over.<p>calmed down and dealing with another one of life's annoyances...<p>kosta<p>PS. Based on my experience with another product called NT... Im kinda wary about a body shop with the same name ; ).